Mechanism for discharging contents of receptacles



Nov. 8, 1938. A. DAVIS, Jl

MECHANISM FOR DISC HARGING CONTENTS OF RECEPTACLES Filed July 24, 1935 2Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. AUGUQTINE DAVIS, JR.,

BY W

ATTORNEYS Nov. 8, 1938. b w JR 2,135,868

MECHANISM FOR DISCHARGING CONTENTS OF RECEPTACLES Filed July 24, 1935 2Sheets-Sheet 2 M'IIIIIIIII Elv I INVENTOR. AUGUST/NE DAV/S, JR,

6R w W ATTORNEYS Patented Nov. 8, 193

MECHANISM EFQR DHSCHARGING Q'JGNTENTS 01F RECEPTACLES Augustine Davis,lira, ilincinnati, Ohio Application July 24, 1935, Serial No. 32,917

12 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in dispensing mechanism and hasparticular reference to a mechanism for discharging the contents ofreceptacles in measured quantities.

One of the principal objects of the present invention is the provisionof a mechanism for dispensing lubricating oil into the crank case ofengines and for dispensing liquid into containers and for measuring theamount of liquid thereby dispensed,

Another object of thisinvention is the provision of a mechanism whichcan be readily applied to existing containers and which in the case oflubricating oil as utilized in gasoline engines will prevent the fillingof said containers with an inferior grade of lubricant.

A further object of this invention is the provision of a container forlubricating oil or other fluid which can be filled at the bulk plant and29 shipped to points of use where the lubricating oil or other liquid isdispensed in measured quantities direct from the container without firstemptying said container into a second container from which the oil orfluid is then measured.

of acontainer adapted to have the liquid contents thereof forciblydischarged therefrom and being merely controlled by a dispensing valveand which discharge is measured as same flows through the valve.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention should be readilyapparent by reference to the following specification considered inconjunction with the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof, andit 'is to be understood that any modifications may be made in the exactstructural details there shown and described, within the scope of theappended claims, Without departing from or exceeding the spirit of theinvention. I

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is an elevational view of the improved dispenser of thisinvention set up and ready for use;

' Fig. 2 is an elevational view of the container as shipped from thebulk plant to the point of use;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the dial of a meter asemployed in connectionwith the dispenser;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view through thecontainer showing the operative parts therein;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view as seen from line 5-5 on Fig. 4, said partsbeing shown in elevation;

Another object of the invention is the provision Fig. 6 is a sectionalview as seen from line 5-45 on Fig. 4;

Fig. '7 is a modified construction of this invention showing anadditional valve which may be employed to prevent gravity discharge fromthe feed pipe; and

Fig. 8 is a transverse sectional view taken on line 3-8 of Fig. 7.

Throughout the several views of the drawings similar referencecharacters are employed to denote the same or similar parts. I

In the field of engine lubrication, particularly as applied to gasolinemotors, dishonesty has been practiced to a large extent in that inferiorgrades of lubricant have been dispensed from containers of well-knownand first grade lubricants. In order to overcome this practicelubricating oil companies and refineries have resorted to the practiceof placing their lubricating oil in nonrefillable containers; that is,containers that must be practically destroyed before the contents can beobtained. Other companies have utilized special containers or drums intowhich lubricating oil is dumped and from which it is dispensed throughpumps and the like. In the case of the individual sealed destructiblecontainers there is the added expense of the container, while in thecase of the drums from which the oil is pumped there is a drainage lossof oil in being transferred from the shipping container to thedispensing container. 7

By the present invention the difficulty of having an inferior grade oflubricant placed in the container, the added expense of small individualcontainers and the loss due to transferring the lubricant from theshipping container to the dispensing container are all eliminated. Bythe present invention the lubricating oil is placed in a container whichat once becomes the shipping and dispensing container, since all that isnecessary at the point of use is the application thereto of a dischargenozzle and an air line to supply the pressure necessary for lifting thelubricating oil. After the container has been emptied it is returned tothe bulk plant and again filled with the same grade or quality oflubricating oil, and then again shipped to the'point of use.

Specifically, this invention comprises a receptacle here shown as a canl0 having a body portion II, a base or bottom I2, a conical top l3 and aneck It. The said parts are respectively Welded or otherwise secured toone another as is well known. In order to add strength to the can towithstand the necessary pressure to be introduced therein, the said bodyI I and conical top l3 are corrugated as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2.The upper end of the neck I4 is provided with a radial flange |5 in turnhaving internal threads I6 provided thereon. Meshing with the threads l6are corresponding threads formed exteriorly of a depending flange I'lintegral with a cap l8. A suitable gasket I9 is securely clamped betweenthe neck flange I5 and cap l8 to render the tank air-tight when placedin use. The cap l8 has upstanding therefrom a boss provided on its upperend with screw threads 2|. 'Projecting laterally from the ,boss 20 is alug 22 having formed therein a bore 23, the outer end of which isthreaded to receive a pipe, nipple or the like 24, The bore 23 connectswith a bore 25 formed at right angles thereto and communicating with 29having a cavity 30 therein and a radial flange 3| overlying the cavity39. Formed in the upper surface of the flange 3| is a groove 32 and aplurality of ports 33 connecting the groove 32 with the cavity 30.

The annular member 29 is secured through its radial flange 3| with thecollar 34 of a valve casing 35. The valve casing 35 comprises the collar34 from which rises a sleeve 36 having projecting from the upper endthereof arms 31 shown in Fig. 6 as three in number to provide spaces 38between adjacent arms. The valve casing collar 34 is additionallyprovided with a bore 39 therethrough which bore is surrounded by a valveseat.40. Disposed within the bore 39 is a valve member comprising wings4|, shown in dotted lines in Fig. 5, and having a circular boss 42 atthe upper end thereof. Pressed or otherwise secured on the boss 42 .is avalve memv respectively enter opposite ends of an expansion coiledspring 41 which tends to urge the valve 43 to its seat 40.

The valve cage 35 together with the parts car- I ried thereby .issoldered, welded or otherwise secured as at 48 to the lower end of atube or pipe 49 which has its upper end disposed in a counterbore 50formed in the cap member 20. The upper end of the said pipe or tube 50is also soldered, welded, or otherwise secured as at 5| to the said capmember 20. The pipe or tube 49 is the feed pipe through which the liquidcontent of the canl 9 is forced by the compressed air acting thereon aswill later be made clear, and the said pipe or tube extendssubstantially the full length of the can or container; that is, from thetop to the'bottom thereof.

Disposed within the upper end of the pipe or tube 49 is a second pipe ortube 52 which is likewise utilized as a part of the feed pipe as itextends above the pipe or tube 49 and connects same with the fillinghose and valve control nozzle as will later on be explained. The shortpipe or tube 52, similar to the feed pipe or tube 49, encircles at itslower end a valve casing 53 and is soldered or otherwise secured on acollar 54 integral with said casing 53. The collar 54 is providedtherethrough with a bore 55 surrounded on its upper end by a valve seat56. Additionally the collar 54 has projecting upwardly therefrom asleeve 51 from the upper end of which projects arms 58 similar in allrespects to the construction of the valve casing 35. Disposed within thebore 55 of the collar 54 is the valve which includes arms 59 andcircular boss 69 on which is pressed the valve member 6|. This valvemember 6| is, similar to the valve member 43, a ring formed of rubber orfiber and adapted to.closely engage the valve seat 56 to prevent anyflow through the bore 55. Disposed on the upper side of the valve member43 is a spring plate 62 having rising therefrom the spring boss 63opposed to a similar boss 64 depending from the under surface of thecage arms 58. The bosses 63 and 64 similar to the bosses 45 and 46 actas spring retainers and respectively enter the upper and lower ends ofexpansion coiled spring 65 for holding said spring inposition, whichacts to normally seat the valve member 6|.

The upper end of the short feed pipe or tube 52 is soldered, welded orotherwise secured as at 66 to the lower end of an elbow 61. The elbow 61has its one end 68 threaded and with its axis angularly related to theend to which the tube or pipe 52 is secured. Intermediate its ends theelbow 61 is provided with an annular flange or collar 69 which rests onthe upper end of the cap boss 20. A coupling nut 10 surrounds the elbow61 and has its radial flange engaging with the elbow flange 69 andmeshes with the threads 2| of the cap boss 29 for forcing the elbowflange 69 into seating engagement with the end of the cap boss 29.

Encircling the main discharge pipe or tube 49 is a hollow metallic float89 to the lower end of which is cemented or otherwise secured a valvemember 90 which may be formed of rubber, fiber or any other suitablematerial. The lower surface 9| of the valve member 9|] is adapted toseat on the upper surface 92 of the annular member 29 within the sump28. This float 89 and its valve 90 naturally ride on the upper surfaceof the fluid in the can or container l0 and when said fluid has beensubstantially completely exhausted from the can or tank the surfaces 9|and 92 contact one another to close further communication through theports 33 as will be described in detail later.

As seen in Fig. 1 the nipple 24 projecting from the cap lug 22 isconnected with a pipe I2 which has its other end connected with a sourceof pressure such as an air-compressing pump, air pressure tank, or thelike. Disposed in this line 12 is a pressure reducing valve 13 and ashut-off valve 14; the valve 13 being provided to prevent the operatorfrom injecting too much pressure within the tank or container ll, sincethis container is naturally limited as to the maximum amount of pressureit can stand and since a relatively low amount of pressure is all thatis necessary to raise the contents thereof. It will be appreciated thatthe line '12 may in reality be a flexible hose having a quicklydetachable coupling 12' between the end thereof and the nipple 24. Fromthis it will be seen that air pressure may be readily introduced intothe tank or container dle 84 associated with said nozzle.

araaees The upper angular end 68 of the elbow 51 is connected through asuitable coupling nut or the like '55 with a flow meter 15. The flowmeter 35 may be of any well-known or desired construction so long as itregisters the amount of liquid flowing from the can or container l9. Asseen in Fig. 3 this flow meter 76 is provided with a dialll graduated at78 preferably in units of pints and half-pints which cooperate with apointer 19 for indicating accurately even small quantities of the fluidpassing from the can or container ii. In addition the flow meter 75 hasa totalizer 80 for indicating the total amount of fluid that has passedtherethrough in any given time, the totalizer adding the flowtherethrough even after successive cans have been attached thereto, aswill be more fully explained later.

The flow meter 75 is provided with an outlet 8i to which one end of thedischarge conduit 82 is secured. The other end of the discharge conduithas connected therewith a valve-controlled nozzle 83 actuated by theoperator through the han Intermediate the ends of the conduit 82 a sightglass 85 is disposed which will show that the conduit 82 is filled withthe fluid from the can or tank prior to the actuation of the nozzlehandle 84. The nozzle 85 is provided at its end adjacent the conduit 82with a check valve to prevent draining ofsaid conduit by gravity as issometimes usual with nozzles of this type.

As will be seen from Fig. 4 the upper end of the cap boss 20 is relievedof any threads so as to provide a flange 86 with an undercut groove 81therebeneath. The purpose for this construction is to permit thecrimping thereon of a tearable seal 88 which is applied to the can aftersame has been filled at the bulk plant and prior to shipment thereof tothe place of use.

The method of dispensing fluids or liquids, and particularly lubricatingoil, and the operation of the improved mechanism is as follows:

The cans or containers ill have removed therefrom the cap 88 whichcarries with it the main feed pipe or tube 49 and all parts carriedthereby. The cans or containers are then filled with liquid and the cap[8 and parts carried thereby screwed home with the gasket l9therebetween to form an air-tight joint between the parts. then appliedand the can or container shipped to the pointof use which in the case oflubricating oil is a service station, garage or the like. At this pointthe tube 52 together with parts carried thereby and including the meter15, discharge hose or conduit 82 and filling nozzle 83 are secured tothe cap 20. The nipple 25 is then connected with a source of pressure tofill the can or container with preferably compressed air to the extentof 50 lbs. to the square inch although this amount of pressure is notabsolutely necessary as it will all depend on the type of material fromwhich the can or container I0 is made and the construction thereof as,to the amount of pressure which it will sustain.

After the can has been conditioned as above.

the pressure source is disconnected therefrom The seal 88 is carriedrespectively by the valve cages 35 and 53 act as foot valves or checkvalves to prevent the flow of lubricant or other fluid from theirrespectie feed pipes back into the can or container it). From this itwill follow that once these pipes are filled they will remain sobut arereadily opened by the fluid under the pressure applied thereto. Inactual use there would be a separate short filling tube or pipe 52,valve mechanism associated with the valve cage 53, elbow assembly 67,meter 16, discharge hose or conduit 82 and filling nozzle 83 for eachdifierent type or grade of lubricating oil or different kind of fluidused. These parts would remain filled after their initial filling andwhile being transferred from one can or container ill to the next due tothe emptying of preceding cans. By this arrangement the sight glass isalways filled and the user and customer can be readily apprised of thefact that he is getting lubricant or other fluid and not air each timethe filling nozzle is opened.

In order to further insure that no air is discharged through the fillingnozzle the float valve assembly 89 -9ll immediately closes furthercommunication between the can or container i5 and the feed pipes 49 and52 when the last available oil or other fluid reaches the sump.

After the can or container has been emptied a small cap is screwed ontothe threads 2! and the can or container returned to the bulk plant forfilling with the same kind of fluid previously therein, or the samegrade of lubricating oil. Since, and as was above pointed out, the userwill use the same short discharge tube or pipe 52 and the parts carriedthereby for the same grade or type of fluid and lubricating oil there isno danger of a mixture of different kinds of fluids or lubricants.

In the modification shown in Figs. '7 and 8 the main feed pipe 49 issevered at a point just below the foot valve of the second or short feedpipe 52 and at this point a second valve inserted in this pipe. Thissecond valve is utilized to prevent the pouring or dumping of the fluidfrom the feed pipe 59 after the can or container III has been exhaustedand at the same time this valve provides a mechanism whereby the airpressure may be placed on the contents of the can or container at thebulk plant instead of placing said pressure thereon at the point of useor service station.

Specifically, this modified construction comprises feed pipe sections49a and 99b each shouldered and welded or otherwise secured respectivelyat 94 and 95 to the opposite ends of a collar 96 of a valve cage 91. Thevalve cage 91 is constructed similar to the cages 35 and 53in that ithas projecting from the collar 96 a sleeve 98 from one end of whichextend arms 99 having depending therefrom a spring boss N10. The springboss I00 is opposed to a second spring boss [0! and each is inserted inthe opposite end of an expansion coil spring I02. The boss H is integralwith a valve member I03 adapted to seat on the collar 96 and close aport I04 therethrough.

In order to open the valve I03 it is so positioned with respect to thefoot valve of the short feed pipe 52 as to be opened thereby and forthis reason the collar 96 is provided with several apertures or openingsI05 through which pass pins 36 projecting from the valve member I03.

The operation of this modified mechanism is believed readily understoodsince it is only necessary to telescope theshort feed pipe 52 within themain feed pipe 5| in order to, have the pins I06 engage with the collar54 of the said feed pipe 5| foot valve mechanism to unseat the valve I03thereby establishing communication between the feed pipes 49 and 52. Atthe same time as soon as the short feed pipe 52 is removed from the mainfeed pipe the valve I03 immediately seats thereby preventing any furtheror inadvertent discharge from the feed pipe 49.

With the structure disclosed and described in Fig. 4 after the shortfeed pipe has been properly positioned and the air pressure appliedthereto the said feed pipe cannot be removed so long as there is air onthe liquid in the can l without spilling or discharging said liquid,while with the structure in Fig. '7 these parts may be disassembled atany time because the pressure within the can l0 and on the contentthereof will immediately seat the valve I03 and thereby seal the saidopening. Furthermore, with the construction of Fig. 4 after the floatvalve mechanism Bil-90 has been seated the can or container-may be upsetand the liquid in the feed pipe 49 drained therefrom, while. with thestructure of Fig. 7 this is prohibited.

It is believed that from the foregoing the improved method of dispersinglubricating oil and the operation of the improved dispenser will befully understood.

What is claimed is:

1. In a mechanism of the class described the combination of a containerhaving a feed pipe therein, means for introducing pressure within thecontainer for forcing the contents of the container through the feedpipe, a second feed pipe adapted to be inserted within the first feedpipe and to receive fluid from said first feed pipe, and aspring-controlled footvalve at the lower end of .each feed pipe forpreventing reverse gravity flow therethrough.

2. In a mechanism of the class described the combination of a containerhaving a feed pipe therein, means for introducing pressure within thecontainer for forcing the contents of the container through the feedpipe, a second feed pipe adapted to be inserted within the first feedpipe and to receive fluid from said first feed pipe, a spring-controlledfoot valve at the lower end of each feed pipe for preventing reversegravity fiow therethrough, an intake at the lower end of the first feedpipe, and a float-actuated valve for closing said intake upon exhaustionof the contents of the container.

3. In a mechanism of the class described the combination of a container,means for introducing a pressure within said container, a pair oftelescoping feed pipes one associated permanently with the container, 2.metering mechanism associated with the second feed pipe, a manuallyoperable control valve beyond the metering mechanism for controlling theflow of the liquid content of the container through the telescoping feedpipes, and a valve associated with one of said feed pipes to preventflow therethrough in a feeding direction and operable upontelescoping-of said feedpipes to open same and. thereby permit the saidfeed flow.

4. In a mechanism of the' class described-the combination ,of a sealedcontainer for liquids adapted to, have introduced therein a pressureforce, a first feed pipe within said container, a pair of valves in saidfeed pipe operable to prevent fiow from the said feed pipe from oppositeends thereof, a second feed pipe adapted to be telescoped within thefirst feed pipe, a valve in said second feed pipe preventing flow in onedirection relative thereto, and means associated with said second feedpipe operable upon telescoping with the first feed pipe for opening oneof the valves thereof to effect flow therethrough. 5. In a mechanism ofthe class described the combination of a sealed container for liquidsadapted to have introduced therein a pressure force, a first feed pipewithin said container, a pair of valves in said feed pipe operable toprevent flow from the said feed pipe from opposite ends thereof, asecond feed pipe adapted to be telescoped within the first feed pipe, avalve in said second feed pipe preventing flow in one direction relativethereto, means associated with said second feed pipe operable upontelescoping with the first feed pipe for opening one of the valvesthereof to effect flow therethrough, and an auxiliary valve operableupon exhaustion of the fluid content of the container for closingcommunication between the container and feed pipes.

6. In a mechanism of the class described for discharging lubricating oiland the like the combination of a container having a relatively smallneck at one end thereof through which the container is filled, a bottomfor said container, a sump formed in said bottom, a cap for closing theneck of the container and having an airtight joint therebetween, a feedpipe depending from the cap to the bottom of the container, an intakemember on the lower end of the feed pipe and substantially filling thesump, said intake member having ports whereby communication isestablished between the container, sump and interior of the feed pipe, avalve normally closingv communication between' the feed pipe andcontainer and sump, and a one-way pressure port through the containercap whereby air pressure may be introduced into the container to forcethe content thereof through the feed pipe after unseating the valvetherein.

'7. In a mechanism of the class described for discharging lubricatingoil and the like the combination of a container having a relativelysmall neck at one end thereof through which the container is filled, abottom for said container, a sump formed in said bottom, a cap forclosing the neck of the container and having an air-tight jointtherebetween, a feed pipe depending from the cap to the bottom of thecontainer, an intake member on the lower endof the feed pipe andsubstantially filling the sump, said intake member having ports wherebycommunication is established between the container, sump and interior ofthe feed pipe, a valve normally closing communication between the feedpipe and container and sump, a one-way' pressure port through thecontainer cap whereby air pressure may be introduced into the containerto force the content thereof through the feed pipe after unseating thevalve therein, and a float valve within said container for closing theports in the intake member upon exhaustion of the contents of thecontainer.

8. In a mechanism of the class described for discharging lubricating oiland the like the combination of a container having a relatively smallneck at one end thereof through which the container is filled, a bottomfor said container, a sump formed in said bottom, a cap for closing theneck of the container and having an airtight joint therebetween, a feedpipe depending from the cap to the ,bottom of the container, an intakemember on the lower end of the feed pipe and substantially filling thesump, said intake member having ports whereby communication isestablished between the container, sump and inadapted to be telescopedwithin the cap feed pipe,

means for securing the second feed pipe in operative position, and amanually controlled valve associated with the second feed pipe tocontrol the flow through the said feed pipes.

9. In a mechanism of the class described the combination of a containerhaving a filling neck, a cap for closing said neck after the filling ofthe container, a discharge pipe depending from the cap within thecontainer, a pair of valves in said pipe and operable to prevent flowthrough said pipe in either direction, additional discharge meansinsertable in said discharge pipe, and means associated with theadditional discharge means for unseating one of said valves whereby flowin a discharging direction may be effected, and said discharging meansbeyond the discharge pipe including a metering device and a manuallycontrolled discharge nozzle beyond said metering device.

10. In a mechanism of the class described the combination with arefillable portable container having a filling neck, and a cap forclosing said filling neck and which cap and neck have an air-tight jointbetween them, a discharge pipe depending from said cap into thecontainer to -a point adjacent the bottom thereof, a one-way check valveassociated with said pipe whereby the container may be dischargedtherethrough having a filling neck, a cap for closing said 1111- ingneck and which cap and neck have-an airtight joint between them, adischarge pipe depending from said cap into the container to a pointadjacent the bottom thereof, a one-way check valve associated with saidpipe whereby the contained may be discharged therethrough but notcharged, a one-way pressure port through said cap through which pressureis introduced into the container for unseating the check valve 1 anddischarging the contents of the container through the discharge pipe, of.a removable discharge mechanism adapted to be connected with thedischarge pipe for receiving fluid from said pipe and controllablydirecting the discharge through the pipe, including a second dischargepipe, means for connecting same with the cap in telescoping relationwith the first discharge pipe, a metering device, and a manuallycontrolled discharge conduit from said metering device. 12. In amechanism of the class described the I combination with a refillablecontainer having a filling neck, and a cap for closing said filling neckand which cap and neck have an air-tight joint between them, of adischarge pipe depending from said cap into the container to a pointadjacent the-bottom thereof, a one-way check valve associated with saidpipe whereby the container may be discharged therethrough but notcharged,

a one-way pressure port through said cap through which pressureisintroduced intothe container for unseating the check valve anddischarging the contents of the container through the discharge pipe, aremovable discharge mechanism adapted to be connected with the dischargepipe for receiving fluid from said pipe and controllably directing, thedischarge through the pipe, including a second discharge pipe, means forconnecting same with the cap in telescoping relation with the firstdischarge pipe, 9. metering device, amanually controlled dischargeconduit from said metering device, and a one-way check valve in saidsecond discharge 'pipe to prevent gravity flow through said pipe,metering device and discharge conduit, but operable to permit

